customersWhether you're packing the car for a busy urban trip in New York City or a quiet jaunt through Amish country, your pets require some special considerations before you head off on that long-awaited adventure.
Essentials like medications, proof of vaccinations, food and water (with bowls) are no-brainers, but there are some great pet products on the market that can make your journey much easier.
Keeping Your Pet in Place
1. Mesh Barrier
Those cute doggie heads catching a breeze out the car window are adorable, but loose pets in cars are dangerous. If Fido loves to move up to ride shotgun next to you, Solvit Front Seat Net Pet Barrier will keep him safely in the back seat. You'll be less distracted, and he will be safer.
Reviews on Amazon praise the barrier's ease of use and the visibility it allows curious dogs, but some mentioned the most determined dogs might break through this barrier.
2. Harness Seat Belt
A seat belt for dogs sounds silly, but it's one of the safest ways to keep your pet from becoming a loose projectile in a crash or even in a fast-stop situation. Not all seat belts for dogs are the same. Sleepypod's ClickIt Seatbelt Harness earned top ratings in the Center for Pet Safety’s 2013 Safety Harness Study. The center praised the harness for keeping the test “dog” restrained during every test. This was the only harness restraint that kept a dog from slipping off the seat.
Plan for Anxious Animals
3. Calming Gear
If you'll be staying in an unfamiliar room or if your dog gets anxious over loud noises (think thunderstorms, fireworks, or a busy parking lot), the ThunderShirt acts as a pressure wrap to give dogs a secure feeling. Petco reviewers gave the ThunderShirt four out of five “paws” and praised this easy-to-pack shirt's ease of use and its effectiveness for both noise anxiety and crate anxiety.
Contain Smaller Pets
4. Car Carriers
Larger dogs can be restrained with a harness in the car, but smaller animals, like cats or smaller dogs will probably do better in a carrier. Carriers work to keep pets contained and if you have a smaller pet, you can use the carrier to transport them in and out of the hotel, too. Having a loose carrier in the car is as dangerous as having a loose pet in the car, so look for models that can be anchored.
The Center for Pet Safety rated these two carriers as top choices in their 2015 Carrier Study.
According to the Center for Pet Safety, “both carrier products successfully contained the weighted test simulant and wholly remained attached to the test bench for the duration of the test thus providing the pet with the best possible chance of survival in the case of an accident.”
The Pet Ego Jet Set Forma Frame Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection earned high safety marks. According to the study, “the test dog remained fully contained, and the connection system remained wholly connected to the test bench throughout the testing.”
The Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock is great for cats and dogs and can do triple duty as a carrier, car seat, and bed. For those chilly winter trips, you can even buy a warmer accessory to keep your pet cozy.
Pack Up Travel Beds for Sleeping
5. Playpen
When you're traveling with pets, you need to get the lay of the land before you let those furry babies run free. You might not even want them to run free. If you have a smaller dog or cat, you can put them in a playpen! Best for animals that aren't overly energetic (and therefore a break-out risk), the Pet Playpen 45" Exercise Puppy Dog Pen Kennel by Best Choice Products is easy to carry and set up. Reviewers on Amazon liked the playpen for smaller dogs or dogs who need a cozy and safe place to rest.
6. Soft-Sided Crate
Even big dogs feel safest when they can sleep in a secure place. But after a long day of travel, who wants to have to lug a steel crate into a hotel room? The Noz2Noz Sof-Krate Pet Crate is a soft-sided crate that comes in enough sizes to accommodate pets from less than 15 pounds up to 90 pounds. This soft-sided crate is a great option for dogs to sleep in. It keeps them in one place (so they can't have accidents or chew that super-expensive-if-damaged hotel chair) while you're sleeping.
The online magazine TopDogTips.com named this carrier as the number one pick, and reviewers on petsupplies.com gave the crate 4.8 out of 5 stars in part because of its easy assembly and its durability.
Don't Forget Basic Safety
7. Safety Gear
Keeping your pet safe in the car and at your final destination is utmost. But don't forget pet safety at all those rest stops you'll be taking on your journey, too. When you're packing up essentials, don't forget other staples like reflective vests for those after-dark strolls. Packing up a pet-friendly first aid kit is also a good idea. And if you plan any water jaunts, protect your pup with a life vest like the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket. The K9 of Mine blog rated the Ruffwear vest as a top choice saying, “owners adore this life vest for a number of reasons, with many reviewers impressed with the quality of the material and the extra flotation underneath the dog’s belly to keep the dog afloat (a feature that isn’t always present in other dog life jackets).”
With some extra planning, your family vacation with pets will be easier and safer for you all.